San Diego  San Diego lifeguards were dispatched to Sunset Cliffs Thursday by reports of a sea turtle coming ashore on the beach at the foot of Santa Cruz Avenue, an occurrence described as rare.

Authorities had been told a turtle was possibly being harassed by people on the beach, lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum said. When lifeguards arrived, they determined it was deceased and people were advised to stay away from the carcass, he said.

Lerum said the adult turtle was about 2 feet in diameter and weighed between 20 and 40 pounds.

“It is somewhat unusual to have a large dead turtle wash ashore, but not uncommon to see turtles in the area,” Lerum said.

Lifeguards notified officials from state Fish and Game and from the U.S. Marine Fisheries Service. The federal agency responded to retrieve the carcass for study about 5:15 p.m., Lerum said.